Jackie Kennedy Collectibles

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis (1929 – 1994) was the former wife of U.S President John F. Kennedy and First Lady of the United States from 1961 to 1963. During this time she became a style icon, due in large to the clothes created for her by fashion designer and family friend Oleg Cassini.

Soon after the assassination of her former brother-in-law Bobby Kennedy in 1968 she married the wealthy Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis, and they remained together until his death in 1975.

Her image became iconic further still after she was depicted in a series of works by the Pop Artist Andy Warhol.

During her later life she pursued a successful career as a book editor with a number of publishers including Viking Press and Doubleday. She was also an active campaigner for the preservation of old buildings and cultural heritage across the United States, and resided in New York until her death in 1994.

Notable sales

Photographs

At a Bonhams auction in November 2010, a photograph featuring a grieving Jackie Kennedy taken soon after the assassination of her husband sold for $13,420.

The image, taken by White House photographer Cecil Stoughton, captured the moment Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn in as President aboard Air Force 1 just a few hours after the incident in Dallas, Texas.

Jewellery

A triple strand simulated pearl necklace sold at a Bonhams auction during the Vintage at Goodwood festival in 2010 sold for £30,000.

The auction also featured a pair of simulated pearl and diamond ear clips, which sold for £15,600 and a simulated pearl necklace, which sold for £6,000.

Memorabilia

A collection of early love letter written by Kennedy to R. Beverley Corbin, Jr. in Connecticut were sold during a Christie’s auction in May 2011.

The collection featured 22 letter and one telegram written by her between the ages of 16 and 17, and sold collectively for a price of $134,500.